NEWLY-FORMED TROPICAL STORM 03W (UNNAMED) JUST CROSSED THEISLAND OF HAINAN...NOW OFF THE WESTERN COAST, ENTERING THEGULF OF TONKIN.

+ FORECAST OUTLOOK: 03W is expected to turn NW'ly & intensify slightly over the warm waters of the Gulf of Tonkin within 06 hours. It shall weaken later tonight as it makes its 2nd land-fall along the Vietnam-China border approx 205 km. ENE of Hanoi, Vietnam. The 24 to 36-hr. Short-Range Forecast shows the system moving further inland into the rugged terrain of Western China, dissipating overland.

+ EFFECTS: 03W's cloud circulation continues to cover the whole island of Hainan and the Gulf of Tonkin, bringing gale-force winds and widespread rains across the area. Flooding can be expected along the low-lying areas of Hainan as moderate to heavy rains can be expected overnight until tomorrow.

+ TROPICAL CYCLONE WATCH: The weak Tropical Disturbance (90W/LPA/1008 MB) over the Philippine Sea is now approaching the eastern coast of Samar. It was located about 165 km ESE of Borongan, Eastern Samar or 200 km East of Tacloban City, Leyte (11.0N 126.8E)...with wind speeds of 30 km/hr. This disturbance is no longer expected to strengthen into a Tro-pical Depression due to its close proximity of islands of Samar & Leyte.

Important Note:Please keep in mind that the above forecast outlook, effects & current monsoon intensity, and tropical cyclone watch changes every 06 to 12 hours!_______________________________________________________________________

* - Based on PAGASA's Philippine Storm Warning Signals, # 4 being the highest. Red letters indicate new areas being hoisted. For more explanations on these signals, visit: http://www.typhoon2000.ph/signals.htm

** - Based on the Tropical Cyclone's Wave Height near its center.__________________________________________________________________________________________>> To know the meteorological terminologies and acronyms used on this update visit the ff: